Time-operated mechanism for feed-boxes.



PATENTED JULY 23, 1907.

J; w. CABLE. TIME OPERATED MECHANISM FOR FEED BOXES.

APPLICATION FILED I'EB.19, 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oFFion.

JOHN W. CABLE, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ARVID M. ANDERSON,

OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

TIME-OPERATED MECHANISM FOR FEED-BOXES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patented July 23, 1907.

Application filed Pebrnaryl9,1907- Serial No. 358,266.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN W. CABLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Operated Mechanism for Feed-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a time operated mechanism for delivering grain to stock at a predetermined time.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a lengthwise vertical section through the hoppers. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section on dotted line a Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view with the covers removed, and parts broken away.

Our improvements are shown in connection with two hoppers 1 and 2 each having a discharge spout 5 at its lower end. Each hopper is provided with a hinged cover 3, and some distance beneath the cover is hinged a bottom 4. A chain 6 connects the bottom and cover, in order that when the cover is raised, it will raise the bottom for a purpose to appear hereinafter. A shelf 7 is located between the hoppers 1 and 2 and supports the operative parts of the mechanism for automatically releasing a quantity of grain at a predetermined time.- As the mechanism is in duplicate for each hopper, a description of one set will answer, and reference numerals will be applied in both sets.

A clock movement 8 of the usual construction is secured to the shelf 7, and is provided with the usual alarm mechanism which has a short winding shaft 9. To this shaft 9 is connected a shaft 10 which is supported in bearings 11 connected to the shelf. To this shaft 10 is secured a hand wheel 12 by which the shaft is rotated, such movement winding the alarm mechanism of the time movement. An arm 13 is pivotally supported at one end by the bracket 14 connected to the shelf, and its free end is guided in a slot 15 formed in a bracket 16 secured to the shelf. The free end of this arm 13 has a connection with the shaft 10 through the chain 17. A bracket 18'is secured to the shelf and supports a plunger 19 in its upper end in a manner to allow the plunger to move endwise therein. A coiled spring 20 surrounds the plunger 19 and is located between the supports for the plunger. One end of this spring rests against a pin 21 passing through the plunger, and the action of the spring is to hold the plunger from the shaft 10. A pivotal connection is formed between the plunger 19 and arm 13 through the link 22. The free end of the plunger 19 has its underface beveled. The free end of the plunger extends through the wall of the hopper and beneath the bottom 4.

The operation of the device is as follows. In winding the alarm mechanism, by turning the shaft 10, the chain will become slack which will allow the spring 20 to move the plunger into the path of the movement of the bottom 4. In raising the cover 3, the bottom 4 will be raised above the end of the plunger 19, the beveled end of the plunger permits it to pass. Grain is then placed in the hopper on the bottom, and the cover closed. When the proper time has arrived to discharge the grain from the hopper, the alarm will turn the shaft and wind up the chain 17, thereby moving the arm 13 which in turn will draw in the rod 19 and allow the bottom 4 to drop, thereby discharging the grain into the feed box in the manger.

While I have shown our improvements applied to two hoppers it is evident that one or more hoppers can be attached to operate together.

A suitable cover may be provided for the mechanism located on the shelf 7.

I claim as my invention.

1. The combination of a hopper, a bottom for the hopper, a plunge r holding the bottom against downward movement, 2]. time movement, a shaft fixedly connected with the time movement, supports for the shaft independent of the time movement, an arm having one end pivotally con nected to a stationary support, a chain connection between the free end of the arm and the shaft and a connection between the arm and the plunger.

2. The combination of a hopper, a bottom for the hopper, a plunger holding the bottom against downward movement, :1 time movement, a shaft fixedly connected with the time movement, supports for the shaft independent of the time movement,- an arm having one end pivotally connected to a stationary support, a chain connection between the free end of the arm and the shaft, a connection between the arm and the plunger and a hand wheel for turning the shaft.

JOHN W. CABLE.

Witnesses A. O. BnnnL, E. BnHnL. 

